Brave coastguard rescue crews from across the region were joined by Nith Inshore Rescue for vital training in the River Annan on Sunday.
Their skills and stamina were put to the test – as these dramatic pictured by Les Snowdon show – as Storm Isha was gathering and the waterway was challenging for the water safety and rescue training.
Senior coastguard operations officer at Kirkcudbright, Stewart Bryden, said: “The water/DEFRA C training on the River Annan involved multiple coastguard personnel from all over area16 and also our declared facility partners from Nith Inshore Rescue.
“Well done all on all your hard work in a very challenging river situation.
“Would also like to thank Les Snowdon for capturing some great photos of the teams at work.”
HM Coastguard is on a recruitment drive in 2024 for coastguard rescue officers for the following teams: Annan, Portling, Isle of Whithorn, Kirkcudbright, Girvan, Ballantrae, Drummore, Portpatrick and Stranraer.
Recruitment will close on January 31 and anyone interested can apply online at www.gov.uk/volunteer-as-a-coastguard.
Volunteers will be trained and equipped to carry out search and rescue operations along the region’s coastline – at any time during the day or night and in all weathers.
The full training will involve a missing person’s search, water rescue, rope rescue, helicopter operations and much more with no experience necessary.
Anyone interested must hold a full UK driver’s licence and be in good health.
Applicants must also live/work within 20 minutes of the coastguard team they are applying for.
The training will run through April, May and June.
Nith Inshore Rescue are also recruiting as they urgently need volunteers to help support their boat crew at the Glencaple station by carrying out various maintenance on boats and equipment as well as station maintenance.
No experience is necessary as full training will be given.
They can be contacted through the Nith Inshore Rescue Facebook page.
